tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52009645374994526192024-03-05T20:59:27.389-08:00Freedom in ChristJesus has shown me many things. My goal is simply to help as many people as I can across the finish line. Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.comBlogger596125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-25582333660610031332024-02-13T10:05:00.000-08:002024-02-13T10:05:59.566-08:00The Moon is Cheese<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The moon is cheese</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The moon is.cheese, </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">warm brie wafting on the night breeze..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">It is ancient. Maybe rotten.. </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Staring like ball of cheese wax cotton.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Craters like Swiss..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Holes like Havariti </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Life is like a charcuterie board..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The moon a server at a party</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Gouda, Colby, Blue, and Cream..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Am I walking in a dream?</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">My stomach rumbles.. like a fright</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Bellowing into the night..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Our dear moon is just a light..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 5.25pt 0pt 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">From my refrigerator..</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">I reach for the cheese</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';">By Brendan and Rachelle Mitchell</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"> </span></p><div style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="x1yztbdb x1n2onr6 xh8yej3 x1ja2u2z" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 16px; position: relative; width: 555.556px; z-index: 0;"><div class="x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"><div aria-describedby=":r6j: :r6k: :r6l: :r6n: :r6m:" aria-labelledby=":r6i:" aria-posinset="1" class="x1a2a7pz" style="font-family: inherit; outline: none;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="x78zum5 x1n2onr6 xh8yej3" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; position: relative; width: 555.556px;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x2bj2ny x1qpq9i9 xdney7k xu5ydu1 xt3gfkd xh8yej3 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xquyuld" style="background-color: var(--surface-background); border-radius: max(0px, min(8px, (-100% - 4px + 100vw) * 9999)) / 8px; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px var(--shadow-2); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 555.556px; z-index: 0;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" style="font-family: inherit;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-6487159814401045252020-07-12T15:26:00.000-07:002020-07-12T15:26:52.439-07:00What are your needs, and I could use some prayer.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our American values often tell us that weakness is shameful. Many people are afraid to ask for help because they think that they will be negatively judged.<br />
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The New Testament is rife with examples of communities that are meant to reach out to one another with love. We are told to care for others and love others, in the same way that we love ourselves.<br />
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We are told that the very heart of Christ is found in bearing one another's burdens.<br />
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One thing that I have recently learned is that it is ok to ask for help. It is ok to accept help when needed. It's ok to be weak. It's ok to admit that we have failures and shortcomings.<br />
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This past week, I made a video on my Youtube channel about a seminar that I really wanted to watch. The seminar was fifty dollars. I asked if any of my subscribers wanted to share the cost. When I checked my email, I was surprised to learn that one of my subs offered to pay for the entire cost of the seminar. In the past, my pride would not have let me accept such a generous offer. However, I wept as I told him that I would allow him to do this for me.<br />
It has been so long since a stranger has offered to do anything nice for me, and I realized that there is nothing noble about being too prideful to accept someone's kindness and love.<br />
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What needs do you have? Are your needs financial?<br />
Are they physical? Are they spiritual? Do you need a friend?<br />
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I will tell you my need today.<br />
I am struggling with deep depression over this virus. Some days I do fine. I feel empowered by faith. Other days, I melt. I cry. I weep over the sheer devastation of lives lost. I would be lying is I said that I didn't have some degree of fear.<br />
I have rarely left the house since this whole thing began. That has fostered depression, as well. I"m struggling with trying to navigate this both as someone called to walk in a spirit of power and without fear, and someone who also has a very analytical mind.<br />
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I struggle with worry.<br />
Some days I manage to "set my eyes on the things above and not on things below" ON those days, I feel at peace. Other days, I feel utterly overwhelmed.<br />
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I could use some prayer.<br />
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Please tell me your needs?<br />
Part of being a community of believers is being willing to accept love from others. I'm offering that love to you.<br />
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WHoever you are, you are loved. You a a friend in me. You can share your needs with me, and I won't judge you.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-10407667889790630732020-07-07T12:53:00.001-07:002020-07-07T12:54:32.805-07:00God Hasn't Given Up On You; Video Message<a href="https://youtu.be/Lq4jGY7Hn-U">click here to watch my latest YouTube video</a><div><br></div><div>Be encouraged!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-68270891910436246892019-12-27T14:13:00.002-08:002019-12-27T14:13:44.601-08:00Why We Shouldn't Worry About "Unsaved" Loved Ones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One day I was fervently praying for an "unsaved" loved one. Jesus put a peace in my spirit.<br />
Today, I want to explain why we shouldn't worry about our "unsaved" loved ones.<br />
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Think of the story of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Don't we know that anytime something is lost, Jesus will go and find it? He will leave the 99 to find the one. You may not see the fruit of God working, but He is working.<br />
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Stop worrying. What can be gained by worry? Today has enough trouble of it's own. Just keep loving your loved ones. Keep showing them grace and mercy. Like the prodigal son, they will see that they are lacking and come home. Lift them up in prayer. Keep speaking life into them and planting the seed of hope from the Word of God. Jesus hears you. He is leaving the 99 as we speak.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-33578990838967456782019-12-27T13:09:00.001-08:002019-12-27T13:13:42.092-08:00CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday, I fought the darkness quite a bit. I really don't want to go into details, but I could feel a tangible heaviness all around me.<br />
<br />
The other day I made a video about the love of God. The Word defines love as patient, kind, not easily angered. Love keeps NO record of wrong. Love is not rude. Love is not self seeking. Love does not delight in evil. Love protects, hopes, and perseveres. The Bible defines God as love. I asked the simple question, "Do you have an image of God as being anything other than these things?" I then stated, that if we view God as anything other than love, then we have a complete misunderstanding of God.<br />
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Anyhow, this video caused a complete stranger to reach out to me. He told me that he has fallen very far. He spoke to me of how he is wrestling with an addiction. Last night, I got the chance to speak life to a stranger. I told him that there is nothing in his life that hasn't been already covered by the Cross of Christ. There is no sin or wrong too big that Jesus didn't die for. He told me that he too has undergone demonic torment. I rebuked the spirits of depression and fear and addiction from his life,and I could feel the demons that I had been wrestling all day begin to tremble and flee.<br />
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Please pray for this man. Pray that God would help him with his addiction. I've heard of people getting instantly delivered. I also know that sometimes people also need to seek help. God is good, ya'll.<br />
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I believe that God's grace towards those struggling with addiction is great. I believe that He is merciful and patient. He isn't up in Heaven, counting our sins against us. (Love keeps no record of wrong)<br />
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I often think of the story of the prodigal son. Once there was a father who had two sons. One day the youngest son asked for his inheritance. The father gave it to him. He went far away from his father and squandered his money on wild living. There was a famine in the land. The son found himself lacking. He had no food. He thought, Will my father take me back? I have squandered everything! He thought, maybe I can go back and be a servant. They eat better than I. Maybe he will be merciful to me.<br />
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So the son went back. The Father saw the son from a distance, walking toward home. His heart was filled with great joy. He was so excited to see his son. There was no chastisement. The father was just simply glad that his son had come home. He threw a huge banquet nd there was music and laughter and dancing.<br />
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That is who Jesus is to me. He isn't counting our sins against us. He just simply rejoices when we come home.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-62268245187295195602019-12-16T12:04:00.000-08:002019-12-16T12:06:17.962-08:00WHY FORGIVENESS IS SO IMPORTANT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I was very young, my great grandmother was killed in a car accident. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. She was my grandmother's mom. We called her, "Maw Maw Woose."<br />
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I miss my grandmother. I remember being able to talk to her about anything. There were times when I would vent to my grandmother. I would sometimes tell her when I was having problems with another person. She always had the same advice; "Rachelle, don't let the sun go down on your anger." She would always bid me to forgive. She had always led to me to believe that she had some angry words with her mother or an unresolved issue, and never got the chance to say, "I'm sorry."<br />
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Today's message is simple. Forgive. Let it go. The people that we love won't be here forever, and<br />
some things just aren't worth holding onto.<br />
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Make peace. Know that forgiving others doesn't mean that you have to put up with abuse from them. It does means that you can let go of the burden of hatred in your heart, and be set free from the anger that enslaves you.<br />
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Choose love.<br />
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The Bible has much to say about forgiveness. Consider the following parable:<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Matt-18-21" id="en-NIV-23749" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant</span></h3>
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<span class="text Matt-18-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">21 </span>Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23749A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23749A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Up to seven times?”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23749B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23749B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Matt-18-22" id="en-NIV-23750" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">22 </span>Jesus answered, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23750a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23750a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A21-35&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23750a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23750C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23750C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-23" id="en-NIV-23751" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">23 </span>“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23751D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23751D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> a king who wanted to settle accounts<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23751E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23751E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with his servants.</span> <span class="text Matt-18-24" id="en-NIV-23752" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">24 </span>As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23752b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23752b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A21-35&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23752b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> was brought to him.</span> <span class="text Matt-18-25" id="en-NIV-23753" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">25 </span>Since he was not able to pay,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23753F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23753F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23753G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23753G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to repay the debt.</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-26" id="en-NIV-23754" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">26 </span>“At this the servant fell on his knees before him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23754H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23754H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’</span> <span class="text Matt-18-27" id="en-NIV-23755" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-28" id="en-NIV-23756" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </span>“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23756c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23756c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A21-35&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23756c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-29" id="en-NIV-23757" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </span>“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-30" id="en-NIV-23758" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span>“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.</span> <span class="text Matt-18-31" id="en-NIV-23759" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-32" id="en-NIV-23760" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span>“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.</span> <span class="text Matt-18-33" id="en-NIV-23761" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">33 </span>Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’</span> <span class="text Matt-18-34" id="en-NIV-23762" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">34 </span>In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-18-35" id="en-NIV-23763" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">35 </span>“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”</span></div>
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Jesus had mercy on us, so it is important that we have mercy on others. </div>
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If you are having trouble with forgiveness, simply talk to Jesus about it. He will help you and restore your peace.<br />
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Love,<br />
Rachelle</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-73994656159562109832019-12-10T19:09:00.001-08:002019-12-10T20:01:50.123-08:00Republicans and Democrats; Love is the Litmus Test <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our kingdom is not of this world. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-8160789383944993032019-12-06T17:20:00.000-08:002019-12-06T17:23:59.243-08:00For Those Struggling and Those Who Doubt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tonight, Jace spotted a little tree frog in the house. I told that we needed to catch it and put it back outside . I've seen enough frog skeletons in the house to know what happens when frogs aren't rescued.<br />
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Tonight, my heart is a little sad. There are so many people right now trapped in addiction. There are people who are struggling with anger and hatred. There are innocent people who are victim to those who are struggling. Every other day I read about a mass shooting. Today it was at a naval base. Last month,there was a shootout in Midland, Texas. A few weeks before that, people were shot up at a WalMart.<br />
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It almost seems as if there is no end to people's hatred and anger. I try not to judge harshly. I've been in dark places. I've experienced loss. I know what severe depression can do to a person. I know what it feels like to be hopeless. But, I also know a God who can turn ashes into beauty. I know a God who can turn despair into hope, and sadness into joy.<br />
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I know that there are people out there right now who doubt God. Atheism and agnosticism seem to be growing. The Bible says that Jesus will be misrepresented by many people. It also says that many people will have a form of godliness, but that they will deny the power, thereof.<br />
Perhaps, at times, I have been that person. If so, I am sorry.<br />
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There have been times when I was much younger that even I doubted God. I didn't understand the concept of how a loving God could burn people in an eternal hell. The truth is that there is still MUCH that I don't understand. However, I do know that Jesus is Real.<br />
I do know that He is good. I do know that He can take our darkness and turn it into light.<br />
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I do know that He can heal.<br />
I do know that there is a darkness out there that longs to steal, kill, and destroy. I've experience demons in horrific ways. But through it all, I've learned that God is still good and there is power in His name.<br />
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The Bible defines God as spirit and love. So anytime you see hatred, know that it isn't God.<br />
Anytime, you see Jesus being misrepresented, know that it isn't God.<br />
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Whoever you are and whatever you are going through, I am rooting for you.<br />
Whatever darkness you are trapped in, God can get you out.<br />
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Talk to Jesus. He hears you. Talk to Him as you would a friend, and don't try to hide anything from Him because He already knows anyway. Be honest, and watch Him work wonders in your life. Watch Him turn your ashes to beauty.<br />
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Anyhow, I'm not sure how this relates to the tree frog at the beginning of this blog, except for the fact that there are people out there who need to be rescued. To those people I say,<br />
I love you and I'm praying for you. I'm always here to talk with you, and my door is always open.<br />
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Love,<br />
Rachelle<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-27490234086950105852019-12-05T16:38:00.001-08:002019-12-05T16:46:39.135-08:00Christmas for the Children at Harbour House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This Christmas I want to do something special for the kids at Harbour House in Lake Charles.<br>
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Harbour House is a shelter for ages ten to seventeen. Many of them are homeless. Some are runaways, and others just need a safe environment because of an unstable or abusive situation at home.<br>
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I honestly just can't imagine what some of these children have been through.<br>
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I want to get them a "Hidden in My Heart" cd, along with a letter telling them that they are loved, they do have a purpose in life, and that there are people out there praying for them and rooting for them. I also want to include chocolates or small things for a gift bag.<br>
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A few years ago, I read an article that stated that kids who left Harbor House were at very high risk of suicide. I want to do all that I can to prevent that by planting seeds of love and hope in their hearts.<br>
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Today, I called and talked to an administrator who works there. She was estatic that someone wanted to buy them gifts, and said that they are the type of kids who are very grateful for even the smallest of things. There are currently eleven children being housed there.<br>
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I have collected thirty dollars so far for this project. I need at least 100 more.Any amount will help. If you can't help out, I understand. Please be in prayer for these kids. If you can help out, please paypal me and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards this project.<br>
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My paypal addresss is paypal.me/RBrister<br>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-18613559141806765702019-12-04T14:03:00.001-08:002019-12-04T14:03:51.977-08:00The Time is NowI know that right now there are many people praying for revival. They are hoping that God will move at a future day and time. <div><br></div><div>Several years ago, Jesus whispered something into my spirit. "The Time Is Now."</div><div><br></div><div>By praying for God to move at a future time and date, are we missing the people around us in the here and now?</div><div><br></div><div>God has already given us everything we need. Through Christ, we have the power to set others free from darkness. We have a light within us that shouldn't be hidden. </div><div>His plea has always been for us to go into the world and share Him with others. </div><div><br></div><div>If Christ is living in us, then our hearts and minds have ALREADY been renewed. </div><div>We are already revived. There is no waiting period. It is finished. The work is complete. </div><div><br></div><div>Jesus, in us, is revival and he is already here.</div><div><br></div><div>Today I listened to a podcast about revival by Dr. Stephen Crosby and Bryan Weibold. They made some excellent points. They spoke of how we often drive hours to revival conferences when many of us don't even know the names of our neighbors. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm going to post the link in the comment section of this post. It may take a few minutes, but it is worth a listen.</div><div><br></div><div>Does anyone want to partner with me to visit those in nursing homes? Or love on the homeless? Or to pray for our communities? Christ is already in us. Revival is here and the time is now.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-53469056494637142882019-12-02T11:44:00.000-08:002019-12-02T11:49:48.203-08:00What Jesus Showed Me in a Bathroom at Buckees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past month has been bittersweet. At times, I have been at complete and total peace. Other times, I have been undergoing spiritual warfare on an intense level. My mind has been assaulted heavily for the past few weeks. I've been fighting feelings of intense anxiety, depression, and self condemnation. I've struggled with nightmares where Satan shows me what he wants to do to my family. I've undergone attacks against my body. It's been mentally and physically exhausting.<br />
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But through it all, Jesus has whispered in my spirit, "Trust in Me." Through it all, Jesus has shown me that he hears my prayers for loved ones. Through it all, He has given me peace during the times when I just wanted to give up.<br />
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A few nights ago, I felt compelled to watch a Youtube video about fear. The Bible defines fear as a spirit. There is even a verse that says, He has not given us a <b><i>Spirit of Fear</i></b>, but rather a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind. As someone who has dealt with the demonic, I know that when there is a heavy darkness over me, certain thoughts enter my mind. Dark thoughts. Thoughts that have often sent me down rabbit holes of panic and tears.<br />
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The Word tells us that if we resist the enemy, then he will flee from us. It also tells us that the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world and that we must take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.<br />
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In the Youtube video, Doug Perry explains that our thoughts are often like a train. We start off with a few negative thoughts and then they easily gain momentum up to the point that they are hard to stop.<br />
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He said by taking our fearful, or worrisome thoughts captive (or any thought that doesn't align with Christ) we cut them off at the root. He also gave some highly interesting stories about people who were set free from very specific fears. It is worth a watch. I'm posting the video below. I highly recommend anyone who struggles with anxiety or depression to watch it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jLY9ISAbFos/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jLY9ISAbFos?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Video about how to be free from FEAR. IT's Profound!</div>
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Anyhow, after watching the video, I started practicing rebuking the spirits of fear and taking my thoughts captive and I have felt at peace. It works!</div>
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Now, for the Buckees part of this blog. </div>
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Sometimes, I pray to feel God's love for others. There have been times when Jesus has shown me other people through His eyes. Every single time, I have felt my eyes tear up because I become overwhelmed with mercy and compassion. Yesterday, we drove home from Midland, Texas. We stopped for a restroom break at Buckees. I asked Jesus to show me someone through His eyes. I went to the restroom, and I looked up in the mirror, and it hit me like a lightning bolt. </div>
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There I was. Me. In the mirror. It was unmistakeable. Jesus was showing me his great love for me. My eyes filled with tears as I realized that Jesus loves me. It's one thing to realize his love and mercy and compassion for others, but it is something beautiful and profound to be able to feel it for yourself.</div>
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He loves us.</div>
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Don't listen to the lies of Satan who longs to kill, steal, and destroy you and those around you.</div>
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Listen to voice of Jesus who is our healer, our protector, our provider, and who longs to bring us restoration. Take every thought captive. </div>
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Here is what the voice of Jesus sounds like, "For I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and NOT TO HARM you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jerimiah 29:11</div>
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<i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: white; color: #aa4400; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;">5</span><span class="highl" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/2507.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2507: kathairountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I take down, pull down, depose, destroy. From kata and haireomai; to lower demolish.">We tear down</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/3053.htm" style="color: #99d6ff; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3053: logismous (N-AMP) -- Reasoning, thinking; a conception, device. From logizomai; computation, i.e. reasoning.">arguments,</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/3956.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3956: pan (Adj-ANS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">every</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/5313.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5313: hypsoma (N-ANS) -- Height, barrier, bulwark; presumption. From hupsoo; an elevated place or thing, i.e. altitude, or a barrier.">presumption</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/1869.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="1869: epairomenon (V-PPM-ANS) -- To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up.">set up</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/2596.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">against</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3588: tes (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/1108.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="1108: gnoseos (N-GFS) -- Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.">knowledge</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/2316.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God;</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/163.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="163: aichmalotizontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To take captive (in war); I subdue, ensnare. From aichmalotos; to make captive.">we take captive</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/3956.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3956: pan (Adj-ANS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">every</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/3540.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3540: noema (N-ANS) -- From noieo; a perception, i.e. Purpose, or the intellect, disposition, itself.">thought</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/1519.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/5218.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5218: hypakoen (N-AFS) -- Obedience, submissiveness, compliance. From hupakouo; attentive hearkening, i.e. compliance or submission.">make it obedient</a> <a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/5547.htm" style="color: #008cea; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">to Christ.</a>" 2 Corinthians 10:5</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="highl" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Here is a powerful prayer of protection for you and your family. I have felt demons flee when I pray this prayer. </span></b></i></div>
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He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High</div>
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will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.<span class="fn" style="color: #0092f2; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/psalms/91.htm#fn" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">a</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="3"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-2.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>2</b></a></span>I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress,</div>
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my God, in whom I trust.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="4"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-3.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>3</b></a></span>Surely He will deliver you</div>
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from the snare of the fowler,</div>
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and from the deadly plague.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="5"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-4.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>4</b></a></span>He will cover you with His feathers;</div>
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under His wings you will find refuge;</div>
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His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="6"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-5.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>5</b></a></span>You will not fear the terror of the night,</div>
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nor the arrow that flies by day,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="7"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-6.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>6</b></a></span>nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,</div>
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nor the calamity that destroys at noon.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="8"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-7.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>7</b></a></span>Though a thousand may fall at your side,</div>
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and ten thousand at your right hand,</div>
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no harm will come near you.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="9"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-8.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>8</b></a></span>You will only see it with your eyes</div>
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and witness the punishment of the wicked.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="10"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-9.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>9</b></a></span>Because you have made the LORD your dwelling—</div>
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my refuge, the Most High—<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="11"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-10.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>10</b></a></span>no evil will befall you,</div>
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no plague will approach your tent.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="12"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-11.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>11</b></a></span>For He will command His angels concerning you</div>
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to guard you in all your ways.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="13"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-12.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>12</b></a></span>They will lift you up in their hands,</div>
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so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="fn" style="color: #0092f2; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/psalms/91.htm#fn" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">b</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="14"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-13.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>13</b></a></span>You will tread on the lion and cobra;</div>
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you will trample the young lion and serpent.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="15"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-14.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>14</b></a></span>“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him;</div>
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because he knows My name, I will protect him.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name="16"></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-15.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>15</b></a></span>When he calls out to Me,</div>
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I will answer him;</div>
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I will be with him in trouble.</div>
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I will deliver and honor him.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/null" name=""></a></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/91-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>16</b></a></span>With long life I will satisfy him</div>
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and show him My salvation.”</div>
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PSALMS 91</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-46503258864290022922019-11-26T21:09:00.003-08:002019-11-26T21:17:31.120-08:00Jesus Loves Divorced People and Fasting and Prayer <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was a really bad day for me. Yesterday a random stranger emailed me to criticize my walk with God, and my marriage. They used the Bible to beat me over the head, pointing out scriptures that say how I'm in error because my husband is divorced from his first wife.<br />
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There was once a time years ago when I was separated from my husband. But, I KNOW that God led me back to him. When I wanted to hate, God pushed me to love. When I wanted to throw in the towel, I didn't. God wouldn't have condemned me if I did. But, I felt like God was calling me to reconciliation. I felt as if Jesus was showing me restoration. Ya'll my husband is a different person than he was years ago. He is an AMAZING father. He cooks for us. He is our provider. He puts our needs and wants above his own. There are no secrets between us .We are happy and drama free He gave up things that he had to give up in order to love his family. God DOES heal. GOD does restore.<br />
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God can use your love and forgiveness to completely change another person. Are we perfect?<br />
No. But, I know that God is still working in our hearts, and that is a beautiful thing.<br />
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Anyhow, back to yesterday. I started listening the lies. Anxiety kicked in. I started worrying about so many things. I could feel the darkness all around me in a very tangible way. I went in the bathroom and cried. I asked Jesus to help me. Jesus reminded me about the power of fasting and prayer.<br />
So, today I fasted and I prayed.<br />
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ALL I can say is that today was a day of a peace that was so deep that it was almost surreal.<br />
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If anyone is going through any kind of warfare, depression, anxiety, spiritual confusion, etc, or if you just want to grow in your walk with Jesus, I HIGHLY encourage you to fast and pray.<br />
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Fasting is present all throughout the Bible. Jesus fasted. The disciples fasted. Jesus instructed us how to fast on the Sermon on the Mount.<br />
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The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives strength to the humble. Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God. It is an extremely powerful tool. I could tell story after story of how fasting helped me in my walk with Jesus.<br />
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This blog is kindof all over the place, but I will say this. If you are divorced, God doesn't condemn you. His grace is sufficient for you. He loves you.<br />
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And if you are hurting from a divorce, Jesus can be your healing. He can be your restoration. He can turn your ashes to beauty.Trust in Him. He loves you.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-90667173678594535482019-11-24T18:25:00.002-08:002019-11-24T18:25:53.685-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today, I woke up and saw an old year book picture. The picture was of a girl I used to know from school and church. In the pic, she was happy. She was smiling and radiant. There was a look of youthful innocence on her face. In the pic, she looked to be about 12 years old. I broke down when I saw it. She passed away a few years ago. Truthfully, I wasn't really close to this girl, but her death still hit me harder than I expected. I had followed her on facebook for a while until she unfriended me for some reason.<br />
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What did her life look like? Was she happy? Was she whole? Did anyone ever really show her the love of Jesus? Was anyone merciful to her? I think she was atheist or agnostic. Did she turn away from Jesus because of Christians who raised their stones instead of showing a good and loving Jesus? Did she have joy and peace?<br />
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My heart broke as these thoughts swirled around in my head. You see, I believe in a merciful Jesus. I believe that Jesus will be a good judge of our lives when we stand before Him. The Word also tells us that there will an ENORMOUS amount of people in Heaven. We are told in Revelation ( ) that there will be multitudes of people in Heaven that reach farther than the eyes can see. I can't even tell you how much hope this gives me.<br />
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But now for the sobering part of this message.<br />
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A few years ago I had a dream. I dreamt of an hourglass. The hourglass was separated into two parts; The spiritual realm and the natural realm. As we pursue the Lord, seek His will, and follow Him, we will begin to walk in the fruits of His Spirit, which are peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, patience, etc. Our relationship with God will be living and active. He will speak to us, and become extremely REAL to us. I could tell countless Jesus stories of times when I was actively walking in the spirit. Even though I don't understand a lot of the Old Testament, I can tell you of times in my life when the Word of God became alive to me. I could tell you stories of dealing with demonic torment, but learning the power of Jesus and feeling demons FLEE at the very mention of His name. All of these experiences have sealed my faith. I believe because I have experienced Him.<br />
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And then there is the natural realm..the everyday world where we often allow ourselves to get distracted and often push Jesus to the side and replace a walk with Him with dead religion works that don't really help or heal or set anyone free.<br />
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In the dream, the sands of the hourglass were pouring out. The message from the dream is that TIME IS RUNNING OUT. I honestly don't know if there was some mystical message to the dream. I do, however, know this...<br />
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People are dying. Our days are numbered. At some point, we are all going to stand before our Father for judgement. He judges our words. Do our words lift others up or tear them down? Do we gossip? Do we talk bad about others? Are we encouraging others and speaking life into their lives?<br />
He will judge our deeds. Are we hurting others?Are we abusive? Do we walk in the fruits of the flesh? Lust, anger, greed, hatred, malice, etc?<br />
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Jesus wants us to hear Him. He wants us to seek Him. He wants us to go to the people who need help and be a light to them. Are we doing that? He longs for us to be close to Him. He wants us to Hear His Voice, and actually listen and not fear.<br />
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If Jesus tells you to hug the lady in the grocery store, then HUG her. Don't be afraid. You aren't a shrinking violent. You are a WARRIOR. You CARRY LIGHT, and that lady NEEDS a hug!<br />
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If He tells you to tell the bank clerk that Jesus loves him, then just do it. Don't worry about sounding silly. If He tells you to something, there is a deep reason behind it.<br />
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Every day, people are dying. They are killing themselves. We live in a broken world with broken and oppressed people. Get on your knees, seek the face of the Lord, ask Him to fill your cup and give you what you need. ASK Him to speak to you and then listen to what He says.<br />
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I'm far from perfect, but everyday I am learning. YOU are a disciple. So, put on the boots of peace and Go!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emIE6KzYFOA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emIE6KzYFOA</a><br />
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Above is a link to a YouTube video that I made about this subject.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-39154873834719948902019-11-23T19:25:00.000-08:002019-11-23T19:25:21.386-08:00For The Broken<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tonight I pray for those who feel unloved and broken.<br />
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May the Lord hold you in His arms and mend your brokenness. I pray you become whole. I pray for your restoration.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-15653776181421193762019-11-22T16:46:00.002-08:002019-11-23T18:52:43.761-08:00What does God Want From Us?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today, I asked Jesus where He was going to lead me. He spoke into my spirit and told me to go to my grandfather's house. Truthfully, I don't go visit my grandfather as much as I should. So often, we get caught up in our own lives and anxieties, that we forget to look out for those around us. Maybe, that is why Jesus tells us to cast ALL of our cares upon Him. Worry robs us. It robs those around us. It is the thief of Joy.<br />
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I think so many of us miss the heart of the gospel message. We fill our lives with religion, but we often lack love. When our lives begin to look like Jesus, we will see ourselves becoming less. Jesus had the chance to be a king on earth (John 6:15 ), but he rejected it and instead chose to become a servant.<br />
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I often hear of religious conferences about how to be a great leader, but one need only to look at Jesus to see that being a great leader looks nothing positions of power. Instead, being a great leader looks like wielding a servant's towel and washing the feet of those around us.<br />
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One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 58. People were worshiping God, participating in religious activities, and fasting, but the Lord scolds them. He chastises their outward displays of holiness, and tells them that the kind of worship and fasting that He wants is to stand up for injustice, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, quit gossiping, and giving in to anger. He says the kind of fast He wants is for us to be there for each other, and to be there for our own families. He says that when we give Him the kind of fast that He wants, then our light will rise in the darkness, and we will be like well watered gardens that never run dry.<br />
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unless we are loving like Jesus and serving others, then everything else we are doing is just noise. It's fruitless, and it will turn to dust.<br />
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Another one of my favorite verses is this, "We fulfill the Law of Christ, when we bear one another's burden." To me, this is profound. The Law of Christ is the law of love, and we fill this law when we are there for one another. When we see a need, and we meet that need. This is the heart of Jesus.<br />
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One of the biggest problems that I have had with religion is the amount of waste that I see. I see billions of dollars of church buildings on nearly EVERY street corner. I see television preachers begging for money and manipulating the elderly. I see blessings for sale, even though the Lord tells us in His Word that His gifts are NOT FOR SALE.(ACTS 8:20) I see so much waste as people try to please the Lord, when all the Lord really ever wanted was for us to simply follow Him and care for one another.<br />
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The model for church in the Bible is simply a loving and vibrant community that shared with one another, they met one another's needs. There was no heirarchy. They each had a role in the Body of Christ. Today, I see a lot of inequality . I see people using godliness as a means of gain, even though the Word has serious warning against such behavior. . Is this Jesus? Is this the same Jesus who gave up his life as a King on earth and gave up all earthly riches to serve the "least of these.?<br />
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We bear the burden of the homeless man or woman, when we offer him food or a warm blanket or when we give to a shelter.<br />
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We bear the burden of our family, when we cook, clean, and provide for them.<br />
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We bear the burden of the sick, when we pray for them, visit them, and offer to help them with their medical expenses.<br />
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We bear the burden of our neighbor or anyone we meet when we see a need, and we meet it.<br />
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It's holding open a door or offering an elderly lady help with her groceries. It is so simple, and yet so profound. An unbelieving world would take notice is we stopped being so religious, and just started to serve the needs of those around us.<br />
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May be all recognize and appreciate the simplicity of Jesus. He died for you. He forgives you. Now, be free and use that freedom to serve others in love. (Galatians 5:13 )<br />
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Here is my prayer for the day:<br />
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Dear Lord,<br />
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Give me your heart. Help me to serve you by serving others. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Help me Lord to see through your eyes. Help me to bear one another's burdens so that I can fulfill your Law.<br />
Lord, I give you all of my cares and worries so that I can be free to go where you lead.<br />
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Amen<br />
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ALSO, COULD YOU GUYS PLEASE continue to pray for me. I truly believe that, as Christians, we should be there for one another. I often have to fight against anxiety and depression despite the fact that I have so much to be grateful for. Sometimes, strength is saying that we do need help and we do need other people's prayers. Thanks, yall.<br />
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<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Isaiah 58</span> <span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">The Message (MSG)</span></h1>
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<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" id="en-MSG-8001" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Your Prayers Won’t Get Off the Ground</span></h3>
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<span class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; line-height: 0.8em; position: absolute;">58 </span><span class="versenum mid-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; position: static; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">1-3 </span>“Shout! A full-throated shout!</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Tell my people what’s wrong with their lives,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">face my family Jacob with their sins!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">They’re busy, busy, busy at worship,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and love studying all about me.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">To all appearances they’re a nation of right-living people—</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">law-abiding, God-honoring.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">They ask me, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and love having me on their side.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">But they also complain,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">‘Why do we fast and you don’t look our way?</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-1-Isa-58-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Why do we humble ourselves and you don’t even notice?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" id="en-MSG-8002" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3-5 </span>“Well, here’s why:</span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">“The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You drive your employees much too hard.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You fast, but you swing a mean fist.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The kind of fasting you do</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">won’t get your prayers off the ground.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after:</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a day to show off humility?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">To put on a pious long face</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and parade around solemnly in black?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Do you call <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">that</i> fasting,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-3-Isa-58-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a fast day that I, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span>, would like?</span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" id="en-MSG-8003" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6-9 </span>“This is the kind of fast day I’m after:</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to break the chains of injustice,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">get rid of exploitation in the workplace,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">free the oppressed,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">cancel debts.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">What I’m interested in seeing you do is:</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">sharing your food with the hungry,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">inviting the homeless poor into your homes,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">being available to your own families.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Do this and the lights will turn on,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your lives will turn around at once.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Your righteousness will pave your way.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span> of glory will secure your passage.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Then when you pray, <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span> will answer.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-6-Isa-58-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" id="en-MSG-8004" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places</span></h3>
<div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9-12 </span>“If you get rid of unfair practices,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">quit blaming victims,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">quit gossiping about other people’s sins,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">If you are generous with the hungry</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will always show you where to go.</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">firm muscles, strong bones.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You’ll be like a well-watered garden,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a gurgling spring that never runs dry.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">rebuild the foundations from out of your past.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-58-9-Isa-58-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">make the community livable again.</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-61259806683265812662019-11-21T17:57:00.001-08:002019-11-21T17:57:45.604-08:00PRAYER FOR PEACE, JOY, AND LOVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Lord tells us how to pray in His Word, but I thought I would share this prayer with you in hopes that it helps someone.<br />
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Dear Lord,<br />
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Please help me to trust in you and in your will. Please help me to walk with you and follow where you lead. Fill my heart with your joy, peace, and presence. Help me to walk in love and generosity. Help me to see more through your eyes and less through my own.<br />
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Reveal anything in my life that doesn't belong. Reveal anything that is keeping me from walking in your peace and your joy. Help me to bear much fruit.<br />
Dear Lord, I confess my sins to you. Please forgive me of ____, and ___. (confess sins to lord)<br />
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Dear Lord, give me a clean heart and convict me when I am wrong and turn towards to the path of darkness.<br />
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Dear Lord, I pray against any works of darkness that would try to touch me and my family. Dear Lord, you are my deliverer and I put my faith and trust and hope in you.<br />
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Dear Lord, carve me into your image so that I may be a light to those in darkness.<br />
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Thank you for all you have done.<br />
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AMEN<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-35402783086091209712019-11-21T11:31:00.001-08:002019-11-21T11:31:33.919-08:00My Struggle With Anxiety and Depression Continued<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Lately, I have struggled with anxiety and depression more than I care to admit. I often have to pray and pray a lot to simply just get through the day. For anyone who has followed my testimony, I have dealt with a lot of demonic oppression. Satan has stolen entire years from me in the past. Years.<br />
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Last night, I decided to watch a video on YouTube by Derek Prince. It was about the power of fasting and prayer. In the video, Derek says that fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God. The Word says that God resists the proud, but exalts the humble. He then gave numerous examples of fasting in the Bible where lives were changed through fasting and prayer. When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, He tells us how to fast and how to pray, leading Derek to believe that fasting should be a part of our Christian walk, even though we often neglect it.<br />
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After I watched this video, I humbled myself in prayer and I realized some things about myself.<br />
For the past several weeks, I have been making my own plans (things that I want to do for Jesus). I planned on going where I want to go and doing what I want to do. Last night, I realized something simple and yet profound. I was trying to lead Jesus around, but what He actually wanted was for me to simply follow Him. He wants me to trust in His Plan. He wants to lead me. I've been putting my own will before God, and it has been causing me anxiety, defeat, and depression.<br />
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I've been afraid of following Jesus. Last night, I asked Him, "Lord where will you lead me?"<br />
And a verse rang out in my mind as clear as day, "I will lead you beside the still waters. I will lead you in green pastures. I will restore your soul. And even in dark places, there will be nothing to fear.<br />
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I've been so peaceful since then. Every day, I wake up fighting anxiety, but today I woke up for the first time in a long time, with peace. Do you want to know where God is leading me today? - to the park. with my kids. I haven't left the house much because I had been so down, but today, Jesus is leading me to laugh and have a fun and beautiful day with my children.<br />
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If there is a lesson in this, let it be this. Trust the Lord. Trust His Will. Don't make your own plans. Trust in His. Ask Him to lead you. Don't be afraid to follow.<br />
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Last night, Jesus led me to these verses....<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-1" id="en-NIV-18823" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Glory of Zion</span></h3>
<div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-60-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; bottom: 0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; line-height: 0.8em; position: absolute;">60 </span>“Arise,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18823A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18823A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> shine, for your light<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18823B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18823B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> has come,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the glory<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18823C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18823C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> rises upon you.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-2" id="en-NIV-18824" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>See, darkness<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18824D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18824D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> covers the earth</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and thick darkness<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18824E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18824E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is over the peoples,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> rises upon you</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and his glory appears over you.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-3" id="en-NIV-18825" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Nations<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18825F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18825F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will come to your light,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18825G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18825G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and kings<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18825H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18825H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to the brightness of your dawn.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-4" id="en-NIV-18826" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>“Lift up your eyes and look about you:</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">All assemble<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18826I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18826I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and come to you;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">your sons come from afar,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18826J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18826J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your daughters<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18826K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18826K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> are carried on the hip.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18826L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18826L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-5" id="en-NIV-18827" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Then you will look and be radiant,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18827M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18827M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">your heart will throb and swell with joy;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18827N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18827N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the wealth<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18827O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18827O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> on the seas will be brought to you,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to you the riches of the nations will come.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-6" id="en-NIV-18828" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Herds of camels<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will cover your land,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">young camels of Midian<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and Ephah.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">And all from Sheba<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will come,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">bearing gold and incense<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and proclaiming the praise<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18828U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18828U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-7" id="en-NIV-18829" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>All Kedar’s<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18829V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18829V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> flocks will be gathered to you,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">they will be accepted as offerings<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18829W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18829W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> on my altar,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18829X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18829X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and I will adorn my glorious temple.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18829Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18829Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-8" id="en-NIV-18830" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>“Who are these<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18830Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18830Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that fly along like clouds,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18830AA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18830AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">like doves to their nests?</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-9" id="en-NIV-18831" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Surely the islands<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> look to me;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-18831a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-18831a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+60&version=NIV#fen-NIV-18831a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">bringing<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> your children from afar,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">with their silver and gold,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to the honor<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the Holy One<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of Israel,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for he has endowed you with splendor.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18831AH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18831AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-10" id="en-NIV-18832" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>“Foreigners<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18832AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18832AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will rebuild your walls,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and their kings<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18832AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18832AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will serve you.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Though in anger I struck you,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in favor<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18832AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18832AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I will show you compassion.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18832AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18832AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-11" id="en-NIV-18833" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Your gates<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18833AM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18833AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will always stand open,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">they will never be shut, day or night,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18833AN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18833AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>—</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">their kings<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18833AO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18833AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> led in triumphal procession.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-12" id="en-NIV-18834" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>For the nation or kingdom that will not serve<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18834AP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18834AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> you will perish;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">it will be utterly ruined.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18834AQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18834AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-13" id="en-NIV-18835" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>“The glory of Lebanon<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18835AR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18835AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will come to you,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the juniper, the fir and the cypress together,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18835AS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18835AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to adorn my sanctuary;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18835AT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18835AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and I will glorify the place for my feet.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18835AU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18835AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-14" id="en-NIV-18836" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>The children of your oppressors<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18836AV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18836AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will come bowing before you;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">all who despise you will bow down<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18836AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18836AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> at your feet</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and will call you the City<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18836AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18836AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Zion<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18836AY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18836AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Holy One<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18836AZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18836AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of Israel.</span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-60-15" id="en-NIV-18837" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span>“Although you have been forsaken<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18837BA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18837BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and hated,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">with no one traveling<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18837BB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18837BB" title="See cross-reference BB">BB</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> through,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will make you the everlasting pride<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18837BC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18837BC" title="See cross-reference BC">BC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the joy<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18837BD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18837BD" title="See cross-reference BD">BD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of all generations.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-16" id="en-NIV-18838" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>You will drink the milk of nations</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and be nursed<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18838BE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18838BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> at royal breasts.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Then you will know<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18838BF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18838BF" title="See cross-reference BF">BF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that I, the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, am your Savior,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18838BG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18838BG" title="See cross-reference BG">BG</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">your Redeemer,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18838BH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18838BH" title="See cross-reference BH">BH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the Mighty One of Jacob.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18838BI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18838BI" title="See cross-reference BI">BI</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-17" id="en-NIV-18839" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18839BJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18839BJ" title="See cross-reference BJ">BJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and silver in place of iron.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and iron in place of stones.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will make peace<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18839BK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18839BK" title="See cross-reference BK">BK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> your governor</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and well-being your ruler.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18839BL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18839BL" title="See cross-reference BL">BL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-18" id="en-NIV-18840" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>No longer will violence<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18840BM" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18840BM" title="See cross-reference BM">BM</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> be heard in your land,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor ruin or destruction<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18840BN" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18840BN" title="See cross-reference BN">BN</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> within your borders,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but you will call your walls Salvation<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18840BO" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18840BO" title="See cross-reference BO">BO</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your gates Praise.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18840BP" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18840BP" title="See cross-reference BP">BP</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-19" id="en-NIV-18841" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">19 </span>The sun will no more be your light by day,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will be your everlasting light,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18841BQ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18841BQ" title="See cross-reference BQ">BQ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your God will be your glory.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18841BR" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18841BR" title="See cross-reference BR">BR</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-20" id="en-NIV-18842" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">20 </span>Your sun<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18842BS" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18842BS" title="See cross-reference BS">BS</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will never set again,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your moon will wane no more;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will be your everlasting light,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your days of sorrow<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18842BT" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18842BT" title="See cross-reference BT">BT</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will end.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-21" id="en-NIV-18843" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">21 </span>Then all your people will be righteous<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18843BU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18843BU" title="See cross-reference BU">BU</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and they will possess<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18843BV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18843BV" title="See cross-reference BV">BV</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the land forever.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">They are the shoot I have planted,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18843BW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18843BW" title="See cross-reference BW">BW</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the work of my hands,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18843BX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18843BX" title="See cross-reference BX">BX</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for the display of my splendor.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18843BY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18843BY" title="See cross-reference BY">BY</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-22" id="en-NIV-18844" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">22 </span>The least of you will become a thousand,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the smallest a mighty nation.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18844BZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18844BZ" title="See cross-reference BZ">BZ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-60-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I am the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-60-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in its time I will do this swiftly.”</span></span></div>
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-60-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Isa-61-1" id="en-NIV-18845" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Year of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>’s Favor</span></h3>
<div class="poetry" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; bottom: 0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; line-height: 0.8em; position: absolute;">61 </span>The Spirit<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is on me,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">because the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> has anointed<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> me</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to proclaim good news<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to the poor.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He has sent me to bind up<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the brokenhearted,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to proclaim freedom<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for the captives<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18845H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and release from darkness for the prisoners,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-18845a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-18845a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61&version=NIV#fen-NIV-18845a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-2" id="en-NIV-18846" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>to proclaim the year of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>’s favor<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18846I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the day of vengeance<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18846J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of our God,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to comfort<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18846K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> all who mourn,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18846L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-61-3" id="en-NIV-18847" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span>and provide for those who grieve in Zion—</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to bestow on them a crown<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of beauty</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">instead of ashes,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the oil<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of joy</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">instead of mourning,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and a garment of praise</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">instead of a spirit of despair.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">They will be called oaks of righteousness,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a planting<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for the display of his splendor.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18847R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-61-4" id="en-NIV-18848" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>They will rebuild the ancient ruins<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18848S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18848S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and restore the places long devastated;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">they will renew the ruined cities</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">that have been devastated for generations.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-5" id="en-NIV-18849" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Strangers<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18849T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18849T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will shepherd your flocks;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-6" id="en-NIV-18850" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>And you will be called priests<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18850U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18850U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you will be named ministers of our God.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You will feed on the wealth<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18850V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18850V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of nations,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and in their riches you will boast.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-61-7" id="en-NIV-18851" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>Instead of your shame<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18851W" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18851W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you will receive a double<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18851X" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18851X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> portion,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and instead of disgrace</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you will rejoice in your inheritance.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">And so you will inherit<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18851Y" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18851Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> a double portion in your land,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and everlasting joy<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18851Z" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18851Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will be yours.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-61-8" id="en-NIV-18852" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>“For I, the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, love justice;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18852AA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18852AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I hate robbery and wrongdoing.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">In my faithfulness I will reward my people</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and make an everlasting covenant<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18852AB" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18852AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with them.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-9" id="en-NIV-18853" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Their descendants<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18853AC" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18853AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will be known among the nations</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and their offspring among the peoples.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">All who see them will acknowledge</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">that they are a people the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> has blessed.”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18853AD" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18853AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-60-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-61-10" id="en-NIV-18854" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>I delight greatly in the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my soul rejoices<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in my God.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">For he has clothed me with garments of salvation</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">as a bridegroom adorns his head<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AG" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> like a priest,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and as a bride<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18854AH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18854AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> adorns herself with her jewels.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-11" id="en-NIV-18855" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>For as the soil makes the sprout come up</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and a garden<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18855AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18855AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> causes seeds to grow,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-61-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will make righteousness<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-18855AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18855AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-61-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and praise spring up before all nations.</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-6568985435371170452019-11-18T13:50:00.001-08:002019-11-18T13:50:44.626-08:00What is Revival? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Many often pray for revival, but what is revival? To me, revival is simple. It is Jesus transforming a life. It is walking in the fruit of the spirit and taking the love of Jesus to the lost, the hurt, and the broken. In Isaiah 58, Jesus tells us that our lives will shine in the darkness when we stand up for the oppressed, when we clothe the naked, feed the hungry. He tells us that our religion is pure when we care for orphans and widows and when we keep ourselves unstained from the world. To me, revival is simply Christ within us being taken to others, giving them hope.<br />
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I am including several articles about the topic of revival and many of us have gotten it all wrong. Please read with an open and prayerful heart. I would love to discuss, but only with those who can discuss peacefully.<br />
I hope you read and enjoy these as much as I did.<br />
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<a href="https://www.fellowshipofthemartyrs.com/articles/59-revival/175-vision-of-true-and-false-revival-patrick-ersig-">https://www.fellowshipofthemartyrs.com/articles/59-revival/175-vision-of-true-and-false-revival-patrick-ersig-</a><br />
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<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/apostolic-2/the-revival-you-are-praying-for-is-here-your-king-comes-on-a-donkey">https://stevecrosby.org/apostolic-2/the-revival-you-are-praying-for-is-here-your-king-comes-on-a-donkey</a><br />
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<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/apostolic-2/is-god-a-revival-genie-rub-with-prayer-get-revival">https://stevecrosby.org/apostolic-2/is-god-a-revival-genie-rub-with-prayer-get-revival</a><br />
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<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/2-chronicles-714-revival">https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/2-chronicles-714-revival</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-2">https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-2</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-2">https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-2</a><br />
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<a href="https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-and-prayer">https://stevecrosby.org/revival-2/revival-and-prayer</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-22433166394423672362019-11-14T13:32:00.001-08:002019-11-14T13:32:01.276-08:00Grab Your Tissues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qwgB5sxhbf0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qwgB5sxhbf0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Peeps, if you get a chance, watch the above video. Grab your tissues. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-996698420042625272019-11-10T16:26:00.002-08:002019-11-10T16:43:43.224-08:00Need Prayer or Someone to Listen? My Door is Open<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few years ago, I decided to use my life savings to build my family a house. I prayed about the decision, and felt like Jesus was giving me the ok. However, I made a promise to the Lord that I would use all that I have for good, including my home.<br />
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Right now, there are so many people struggling in our little community. People are sick with disease and illness. People are struggling in so many ways.<br />
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I want you to know that if you are sick and want someone to lay hands on you and lift you up in prayer, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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I want you to know that if you need deliverance from the darkness that afflicts you, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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I want you to know that if you are struggling with your faith or simply need an ear to listen,I love you and my door is open.<br />
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If you are thinking of suicide and need a light of hope, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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Whether you are Baptist or Catholic or Methodist or any denomination, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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Whether you are Muslim, Buddhist, or a practicing Wiccan, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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If you are struggling with your identity and need an ear to listen, my door is open.<br />
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Gay or straight, black or white, I love you and my door is open.<br />
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I don't have much to give, but I can simply listen. My door is open.<br />
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Matthew 11:28-30</span> </h1>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NIV-23488" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </span>“Come to me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23488A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> ALL you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23488B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-NIV-23489" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </span>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23489C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23489D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-11-30" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Matt-11-30" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-13" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">Romans Chp. 12 verse 13</span></span> <span class="verse-13" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. </span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-14" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">14</span></span> <span class="verse-14" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. </span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-15" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">15</span></span> <span class="verse-15" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. </span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-16" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">16</span></span> <span class="verse-16" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. </span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">17</span></span> <span class="verse-17" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. </span></div>
<span class="text Matt-11-30" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-18" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 1.3em !important; outline: 0px !important;">
<span class="verse-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-indent: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-size: inherit !important; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 3px;">18</span></span> <span class="verse-18" style="box-sizing: border-box;">If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-23149474263931937302019-11-08T17:12:00.004-08:002019-11-08T17:17:06.130-08:00Don't Give Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPkOl1Bstj7LGFeURiDsWlaFuzHmY_OB6-xhy46VZdBKHtXZ28JBmPy57zms6zwnXh8ZvvP-0FHBT4cDFFvohsQ7QA9sz1pE5uUAMaBIVax1h-kaC_vmPnsN4GzDRdjK-8s6ZJncbUgs/s1600/nottired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="823" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPkOl1Bstj7LGFeURiDsWlaFuzHmY_OB6-xhy46VZdBKHtXZ28JBmPy57zms6zwnXh8ZvvP-0FHBT4cDFFvohsQ7QA9sz1pE5uUAMaBIVax1h-kaC_vmPnsN4GzDRdjK-8s6ZJncbUgs/s400/nottired.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
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Often, when I truly start seeking Jesus and even start talking about Jesus, a huge depression comes over me. Yesterday, I fought depression all day long. I could feel a heaviness around me. In the past, I would simply drown out the depression with noise. I would turn on the television or the radio and eventually lose my focus on Christ.<br />
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Satan wants us to be burnt out. He wants us to surround ourselves with a battery of constant noise. He wants us in a perpetual state of spiritual confusion. He wants us fearful, anxious, and depressed.<br />
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The other day I watched a deliverance video by Derek Prince. Derek Prince claims to have delivered thousands of people from demons, and helped them to walk in freedom. Derek said that at the beginning of his ministry, he would often become overwhelmed with depression. He learned to recognize that his depression was a spiritual attack. He began to rebuke the depression in the name of Jesus, and it left.<br />
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Satan wants you to quit. He wants you to give up.<br />
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Satan wants you to quit because:<br />
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He doesn't want you showing kindness and love to the boy thinking of committing suicide.<br />
He doesn't want you talking about deliverance because people might learn that they can be free of addiction, anger, lust, and unforgiveness.<br />
He doesn't want you walking in the fruits of the spirit.<br />
He doesn't want you walking in peace.<br />
He doesn't want you walking in joy.<br />
He doesn't want you walking in kindness.<br />
He doesn't want you walking in love.<br />
He doesn't want you walking a life free from the bondage of sin. He wants you chained to lies, and theft, and hatred, anger, and greed He wants you chained to impure thoughts. He doesn't want you happy, and he doesn't want you whole.<br />
He wants you believing the lies that you aren't enough. He wants you believing the lies that this walk is not important and that it simply doesn't matter one way or the other.<br />
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<b>BuT JESUS.</b>..<br />
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Jesus wants to transform your life from the inside out. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He wants to free you from your anxiety. (Matthew 6:34)<br />
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He longs for you to walk in joy, and peace, and love, and kindness.(Galatians 5:22)He wants you to find joy in giving and in helping others (Matthew 25:40). He wants you free that which has you bound.(John 8:36) He wants your mind transformed and your heart renewed. (Romans 12:2)<br />
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The Word says that He rejoices over us with singing. Don't give up. Don't quit. Put on the full armor, and fight.(Ephesians 6:10-18) I can promise that it will all be worth it in the end. (1 Corinthians 2:9)<br />
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God still loves you.You are invited to the banquet table.<br />
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COME HOME.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><i><b>If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9</b></i></span><br />
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Galatians 5:13-17</span></h1>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Gal-5-13" id="en-NLT-29136" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.</span> <span class="text Gal-5-14" id="en-NLT-29137" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.</span></div>
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<span class="text John-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">DON'T GIVE UP</span></div>
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<span class="text John-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Love,</span></div>
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<span class="text John-3-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Rachelle</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-89056129997200675002019-11-06T11:17:00.003-08:002021-02-04T20:02:18.170-08:00I Thought I Was Dying, My Testimony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: large; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Ephesians 6:12</span></h1>
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<span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-KJV-29350" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to share a testimony with everyone of something that happened to me this week. I don't consider myself much of a "sharer" these days, but I do believe that this post may help someone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've dealt with dark spirits since I was a child. I've gone through NUMEROUS things dealing with the demonic. However, through these things, Jesus has shown me many things. He has shown me that We, as Christians, have the authority to tell them to leave. I've learned that the very name of Jesus is powerful against the darkness. I've learned about strongholds. (Things that give demons legal grounds to be in our life, (examples would be addiction, pornography, dealings with the occult, such as astrology, tarot card readings, ouija boards, any type of willful and profuse sin, unforgiveness, anger, gossip and the list goes on and on)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm about to get to the story, but first, here's a backstory:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in my late 20's, there was a time when some very dark things started happening to me. I'm not going to go into detail with all of it, but one of the things that happened was I started getting sick. One day, I was cutting an apple, and I had an immense pain in my hand. I couldn't hold the knife. Within a weeks time, I was having immense pain all over my body. My hands, fingers, and toes would go numb. I would have sharp, stabbing pains in my body. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. Even my brain felt like it was being affected. I felt confused. I found myself in the midst of an anxiety and depresssion like I had never known. My muscles hurt. They twitched. It felt like something extremely heavy was sitting on my chest. My arms would feel like they were being gripped by a vice,and I was short of breath. I truly felt as if I was dying. I found myself in the emergency room one day. I had a CT scan, a full blood workup. They found nothing. I later found myself at the Diagnostic Center in Houston where several more tests were run. Still, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with me. (I was tested for thyroid issues, rhematoid arthritis, MS, Parkinson's disease, vitamin deficiencies, etc)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The climax of this happened when I was at work one day. I was taking a computer test, and I couldn't focus. I couldn't finish a simple test that I normally would have completed in about 10 minutes. I stood up from the computer, and i went BLIND for about 30 seconds. I will never forget the fear from that moment for as long as I live. That day a friend of mine met me at a neurologist's office where I was prescribed Xanax. I was referred to more doctors. Still, every test came back negative. However, I did find that the Xanax was "helping" me, and the symptoms eventually subsided. However, the next few years would be some of the darkest years in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward a few years later.... I had decided to go to a church service. The pastor told me that Jesus wanted Joy for my life. A few days, later someone else told me the EXACT same thing. It was on 10/10/10 that I truly gave my heart to Christ. One day, shortly after giving my life to Jesus, I was sitting in my room. I felt an evil presence enter. Immediately, I felt sharp pains in my body; pains that were exactly like what I felt a few years prior. Other "symptoms" started to appear. At this time, Jesus had been showing me some things about deliverance. (The casting out of demons) This time around, I recognized what was going on, and I told the spirits of pain to leave in the name of Jesus, and they left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward about 6 years...to finally get to what happened to me this week. A few years ago, I developed a thyroid condition and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. It is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the thyroid gland.) For the most part, I truly haven't had many problems related to Hashimoto's disease, aside from some weight gain and occasional fatigue.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, this past week, I truly thought that I was dying. It began when I started experiencing some of the worst brain fog that I have ever experienced in my life. I felt dizzy, lightheaded. I had a strange feeling, as if I was walking in a dream. It was a very strange feeling; so strange, in fact, that I started having panic attacks. At night, when I would lie down, I would feel my chest shaking. It felt like some sort of internal vibration or motor running throughout my body. I could feel nerves running throughout my body, as if they were alive. I spent a good portion of the week in tears. I was becoming extremely depressed and despondent. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't make heads or tails of anything because my thyroid levels were well within the normal range.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have health insurance, which was another worry. However, in tears and feeling completely defeated, I decided to call my doctor to see about running more tests. It was then, that I remembered my experiences in my late 20's and simply decided to pray about it. "Jesus," I asked, "Please help me. Is this the product of my disease, or is something else going on? Please, just show me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That night, I was laying in my bed. I felt something come into my room. Immediately, I felt it latch onto my body and I started shaking. I felt something that felt like a dark cloud over my head, and immediately I started feeling the "strange feeling in my head" that I had been feeling on and off all week. It was then, that I KNEW that what I had been experienced was something spiritual in nature, rather than something physical.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong; I am a firm believer in science. However, I have dealt with things that many people would scoff at. I have seen the reality of Jesus, His Word, and I have seen that there is a darkness out there that longs to steal, kill,and destroy. ( John 10:10 )</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It takes a lot of courage to type things like this. There are going to people who will laugh, scorn, and mock me. There will be those who think that these things are "all in my head" or the product of my imagination. But, I write on because I know that there is going to be the ONE person who knows that what I say is true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are sick or suffering or having physical symptoms that you can't explain, or even ones that you can.( I wrote mine off as being a part of my Hashimotos for nearly a month)..I encourage you to simply talk to Jesus. Seek Him and ask Him if what you are going through is the result of demonic affliction. Wait for His answer. If this is something that you are dealing with, I encourage you to seek deliverance. If you need me to pray with you, I am willing. My email address is rachelle_brister@yahoo.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, for a video on how to be delivered from demons,(anger, lust, addiction, etc) please click<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed8j33e8viE" target="_blank"> HERE.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I truly believe that there are legitimate diseases and physical problems out there, but I also believe that there are scores of people who are suffering needlessly. The Bible is rife with stories about people who were afflicted by demons, and I truly don't think that much has changed. I think that now, we just slap a name on it and prescribe medication for something that we could be free from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So reader, whoever you are, Jesus wants you to be free. He wants JOY for your life. Also, please know that after much intercession, and prayer, I am no longer having any of the symptoms that were keeping me down. They are ALL gone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rachelle</span><br />
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<div class="hdg" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; padding-bottom: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The Boy with a Demon<br />
<span class="cross" style="color: #0092f2; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 1px;">(<a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/mark/9.htm#14" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">Mark 9:14-29</a>; <a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/luke/9.htm#37" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 9:37-42</a>; <a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/luke/17.htm#5" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 17:5-10</a>)</span></div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-14.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>14</b></a></span>When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. <span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-15.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>15</b></a></span>“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. <span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>16</b></a></span>I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”</div>
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<span class="red" style="color: #a80000;"><span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>17</b></a></span>“O unbelieving and perverse generation!”</span> Jesus replied. <span class="red" style="color: #a80000;">“How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-18.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>18</b></a></span>Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-19.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>19</b></a></span>Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”</div>
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<span class="red" style="color: #a80000;"><span class="reftext" style="color: #b34700; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-20.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>20</b></a></span>“Because you have so little faith,”</span> He answered. <span class="red" style="color: #a80000;">“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-16691488994429822402019-02-22T16:47:00.002-08:002019-02-22T17:15:43.365-08:00What Freedom Looks Like<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past week, darkness has targeted my mind. I listened to lies that we were causing me to feel condemnation, doubt, and fear. I listened to the lies that had me feeling like I was a trapped in a cage.<br />
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I had to pray. I told the Lord that I was raising my white flag. He whispered to me, "Let it go." Let me fight for you, he whispered. (Exodus 14:14)<br />
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That night, plagued with the sinking feeling of depression, I began to make a list of all of the things that I would do if I was "free."<br />
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I would parasail one day.<br />
Skydive.<br />
I would drive along the coast of California.<br />
I would hike in the mountains anywhere.<br />
I would make hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.<br />
I would live, and love, and laugh without fear.<br />
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Jesus whispered to me, "You are free." He reminded me of Galatians 3:5 "For you have been called to freedom dear brothers and sisters.. Don't use your freedom as an opportunity for sin, but use your freedom to serve one another in love." He also reminded me of the verse, "There is no fear in love. For, perfect love casts out fear."<br />
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Imagine what it would look like to live full, fearless, lives where we truly LOVE others? Would our lives look any different?<br />
What if I told you that this is what Jesus wantsfor us, and while it took a while for this message to sink in, I began rejoicing because I AM FREE.<br />
YOU ARE FREE.<br />
There is truly freedom in Christ.<br />
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Jesus Christ frees us from<br />
1.Addictions<br />
2. Fear<br />
3. Bondage<br />
4. Darkness and Sin<br />
5. Oppression<br />
6. Guilt<br />
7. Etc.<br />
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Over the years, I've seen that spiritual warfare is real, but many of the battles that the fight are battles in our own minds. However, when we truly draw near to the Lord, we will see that He is truly the God of love, the God of rest, and the God of freedom. I've learned that the only way to overcome the lies, is to know the truth of His great love for us.<br />
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and that is a beautiful thing....<br />
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And the funny thing is..I may never do any of the things in my list. And that's ok. I've learned that freedom is so much more than a "place" or a "thing". It is something much deeper that happens in the spirit when Christ works in our lives.<br />
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If anyone is feeling down, worthless, caged, or "less than" feel free to message me anytime.<br />
rachelle_brister@yahoo.com<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-74985874169939699422019-01-31T19:28:00.004-08:002019-02-01T12:39:14.572-08:00What Jesus Has Been Doing In My Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few years ago, I quit my job in order to stay at home with my children. I have no regrets, but it is humbling in some ways. In the past, I NEVER had to worry about money. Now, I have to make a lot of sacrifices. A LOT. I'm fine with that. There is a trade off.<br />
However, there are times when I ask myself hard questions. What am I doing with my life? When I die, will I have left a mark? Will I be remembered by anyone?<br />
Jesus reminded me that what society deems as successful, often looks nothing like what He considers successful. "<b><i>What good is it, if a man gains the whole world, but yet loses his soul?</i></b>" And still He whispers, "<b><i>The least shall be the greatest, and the greatest shall be the least,</i></b>" reminding me that success, whether in the workplace or the home, is measured by how much we are willing to love and serve others.<br />
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Lately, Jesus has been doing a work in my life. I tend to go through phases where I get distracted. I lose my purpose, my vision. There have been times when I have kept Jesus in the rear view mirror.<br />
The result has been a lack of peace, a struggle with anxiety, and a well of love that has often run dry.<br />
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I can always tell when my heart is failing. I look at my speech. I cuss (a lot). I struggle with anger. I rush. I get impatient. I am quick to yell. I hurt others with my words and my actions. It is on these days that I feel that I have truly failed as a human being.<br />
<br />
But, God.<br />
<br />
I am so thankful that God always steers me back to Him. I recently went through an experience that brought me to my knees, and now Jesus is directly in front of me where He belongs.<br />
<br />
He is restoring my peace. I've tried to stop cursing on my own, but I ALWAYS fail,<b><i> but God</i></b>. When He truly changes our heart, He changes our speech as well. The anger is gone. The impatience. He truly does make us into a new creation.<br />
<br />
Lately, I have found immense comfort in Psalms 23.<br />
It talks about how He makes us lie down in green grass, and he restores our soul. He brings us out of the darkness and into His Light.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I was talking to Jesus about Joy. He is restoring my peace, but I sometimes seem to lack joy. I felt the need to reread some of my writings when Jesus first consumed my life. There was a very real joy that came from simply loving others.<br />
<br />
There is true joy in serving others. It is the purpose. It is why we are here - To love one another.<br />
To help one another. There is joy in that. As I began to realize this all over again, I felt joy for the first time in a very long time.<br />
<br />
Whoever is reading this, Jesus can turn things around for you. He can give you beauty for ashes,<br />
He can exchange your pain and turn it into purpose. He can restore your soul. He can make you lie down in green grass, and lead you beside the still waters.<br />
<br />
He loves us.<br />
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<div class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Ps-23-1" id="en-KJV-14237" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="chapternum" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is my shepherd; I shall not want.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-2" id="en-KJV-14238" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-3" id="en-KJV-14239" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-4" id="en-KJV-14240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-5" id="en-KJV-14241" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-6" id="en-KJV-14242" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> for ever.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;">Pleasant words </span><span style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;">are as</span><span style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;"> an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.Proverbs 16:24</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="text Ps-23-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b>Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone Colossans 4:6</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html " style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Jas-3-1" id="en-NIV-30321" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Taming the Tongue</span></h3>
<div class="chapter-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Jas-3-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">3 </span>Not many of you should become teachers,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30321A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30321A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30321B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30321B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> more strictly.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30321C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30321C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Jas-3-2" id="en-NIV-30322" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>We all stumble<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30322D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30322D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30322E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30322E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>is perfect,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30322F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30322F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> able to keep their whole body in check.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30322G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30322G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Jas-3-3" id="en-NIV-30323" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30323H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30323H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Jas-3-4" id="en-NIV-30324" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.</span> <span class="text Jas-3-5" id="en-NIV-30325" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30325I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30325I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.</span> <span class="text Jas-3-6" id="en-NIV-30326" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>The tongue also is a fire,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30326J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30326J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30326K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30326K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30326L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30326L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-7" id="en-NIV-30327" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,</span> <span class="text Jas-3-8" id="en-NIV-30328" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30328M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30328M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-3-9" id="en-NIV-30329" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30329N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30329N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Jas-3-10" id="en-NIV-30330" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.</span> <span class="text Jas-3-11" id="en-NIV-30331" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200964537499452619.post-30566347150807294152019-01-30T20:48:00.001-08:002019-01-30T20:50:58.472-08:00How to Find Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Lately, Jesus has been restoring me. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalms 23. It talks about Jesus leading us into still water and making us lie down in green grass. It always brings me comfort.<br />
Despite having found a new peace in my life, today I found myself in tears because I seem to lack joy.<br />
Tonight, I was sitting in the silence (well, I have a toddler, so it wasn't too silent)Jesus reminded me of what my early walk with Him looked like. I used to leave flowers on random cars.I sent random love letters of hope in the mail. I used to visit the elderly in nursing homes. I used to find peace, and purpose, and JOY in loving others and helping others. I once found JOY in pointing others to Christ through LOVE.<br />
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I miss that. Jesus reminded me that there is JOY is loving and serving others. Love is the purpose. The greatest gift.<br />
Tonight, I am praying that He cultivate Joy in me and in you. I pray that you find your Joy.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you."
Song of Songs 4:7</div>Rachellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619688987602477467noreply@blogger.com1